Easter thieves stole more than $50K from churches

Burglars targeted holiday collections

12:32 AM,
Apr. 2, 2013

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Parishioners flocked to services on Easter and generously gave money to two local churches -- only to have their donations stolen overnight by thieves, crimes that police called sophisticated and well-planned.

The burglaries at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Shelby Township and St. Luke Lutheran Church in Clinton Township shed light on the issues of security at churches. Across the region, dozens of churches, many without security systems, have become targets of thieves in recent months.

It's estimated that more than $40,000 and two chalices, worth between $5,000 and ...